Etching method



Dec. 24, 1968 R. F. NELSON 3,417,472

ETCHING METHOD Filed Oct. 18, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l R f INVEN;8R.

OBA'ET RANK EL SON F I60 3 firrole/ve' Y Dec. 24, 1968 R. F. NELSON 3,,47

ETCH I NG METHOD Filed Oct. 18, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/ H INVENTOR.

\ 3 sea-r RANK Ngzsoxv United States Patent 3,417,472 ETCHING METHODRobert F. Nelson, Hawthorne, Calif. (10955 Huston St., North Hollywood,Calif.

Filed Oct. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 679,590 8 Claims. (Cl. 3324) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE In preparing a lithographic or intaglio plate it isnecessary to prepare a coated plate by scribing the surface of thecoated plate and thus partially remove the coating and produce a copy ofthe figure, letters or design of the original. The coated plate isatfixed under a mounting frame in such a position that the scribinginstrument will produce the figures, letters or design in opposite andreverse position to the original, as the operator actuates the primarypen or writing instrument to produce the original copy of the plate tobe produced. The original pen or writing instrument is mounted in exactvertical alignment with a scribe or etching pen, and is fixedly held inthis position irrespective of any looseness in the various pivots orjoints of the actuating linkage.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel etching method wherebythe etching instrument straddles a mounting frame, and the writing orscribing instrument is actuated manually by the operator, and actuationof this writing instrument or scribe will simultaneously move theetching pen against the surface of the plate which is to be etched.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel etching methodwhich includes a bifingered etching instrument which includes twovertically aligned sleeves to mount two writing or scribing instruments,and these two instruments are coupled by pivoted links so that these twoinstruments are caused to move simultaneously against differentsurfaces, the one surface being opposite and reverse to the original orprimary surface.

Still another object is to provide an etching method of the characterstated in which the primary writing instrument is actuated by a holderto be held in the fingers of the operator, and this holder in turn isattached to the writing instrument.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from theaccompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and theappended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the etching instrument.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the same.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the partsin a different position.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view as viewed from line 55 ofFIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the circle 7 inFIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified mountingmeans of the etching tool.

3,417,472 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectionalview taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates anetching tool which includes an upper arm 2 and a lower arm 3. These armsare separated by a horizontal groove 4, which groove extends entirelythrough the tool. An etching table 5 is mounted on legs 6 to space itabove a suitable table or working surface. The table 5 is a perfectlyfiat surface and the arms 2 and 3 of the etching tool 1 are positionedone above and one below the table 5, as best shown in FIGURE 1. Adrafting plate or sheet 7 is affixed to the top surface of the plate 5and the operator either traces or draws a suitable figure or design 8 onthis plate. As the operator is producing the design or configuration onthe plate 7 he will simultaneously scribe or scratch comparable linesand contours on a coated plate 9 which is attached to the bottom of theplate '5. The plate 9 is subsequently treated in a manner well known inthe lithographic art, and a lithographic or intaglio plate is thusproduced which is reversed and posed in position to the original figureor design 8, as is required when printing the design or figure on asheet or plate.

Laterally extending skids or runners 10 extending horizontally from thebody of the tool 1 prevent that tool from tipping or tilting as theoperator manipulates that tool during the drafting process.

A sleeve 11 is fixedly mounted in a vertical position on the outer endof the arm 2. This sleeve is fixedly attached or may be an integral partof a mounting bar 12 which fits in the arm 2 and serves to rigidlysupport the sleeve. A second guide sleeve 13 is fixedly mounted in theouter end of the arm 3 and is in accurate vertical alignment with thesleeve 11. A drafting or lettering pen 14 is mounted for verticalmovement in the sleeve 11, and this pen will follow the outlines of thedesign 8 by the operator, as will be subsequently described. An etchingpin 15 is mounted for vertical sliding movement in the guide sleeve 13and this etching pin will scratch or groove the plastic coating on theplate 9, as shown at 16 in FIGURES 6 and 7.

The pen 14 and the etching pin 15 are moved vertically with relation tothe surfaces of the table 5 by the operator, and these parts are movedsimultaneously and synchronously by means of connecting linkage asfollows: A horizontal link 17 is pivotally mounted at 18 in the arm 2,and the outer end of this link is provided with a hole through which thepen 14 extends. Also a guide bar 19 depends from the outer end of thearm 2 and extends through the link 17, thus guiding the link so that itmoves accurately in a vertical plane. Also strain is taken off of thepivot 18 to limit wear on this pivot. A second link 20 is pivotallymounted at 21 in the arm 3, and this last named link is pivotallycoupled to the link 17 by the coupling 22. The outer end of the link 20has a projecting finger 23 thereon which engages the bottom of theetching pin 15 to press that pin against the surface of the etchingplate 9.

A shaft 24, to be grasped by the operator, is pivotally attached to theouter end of the link 17 by means of the ring 25. Thus the operator caneasily manipulate the etching tool 1 to follow the contours of thedesign 8. He can move the pen 14 and, consequently, the pin 15 in ahorizontal plane, and can move the tool either side to side or back andforth as required. Due to the pivotal mounting 25 the shaft 24 can betilted at a normal angle by the operator.

Instead of the skid or runners 10 I may provide a tongue and groovecoupling between the etching tool 1 and the table or plate 5. With thisarrangement a groove 26 is formed in the table 27 and the drafting tool1 is formed with a mounting pin 28 which includes a head 29 slidablymounted in the groove 26. Thus the tool body 1 can be moved lengthwisealong the groove 26 and can also be rotated within that groove, sincethe head 29 is loosely mounted in that groove.

In operation A drafting sheet 7 or a copy of a figure or drawing ismounted on top of the table 5. On the bottom of the table 5 an etchingsheet 9 is mounted which is coated with a suitable plastic or otherremovable coating. The operator now inserts the etching tool 1 astridethe table 5 which fits in the groove 4. By manipulating the writingshaft 24 the drafting pen 14 will follow the contours of the design 8,and simultaneously the pin 15 will be pushed against the plastic coatingof the etching plate 9, thus scratching or scribing on that etchingplate the reverse contour of the design 8, permitting the etching plateto be subsequently etched in the usual processes of lithography orintaglio. Due to the rigid mounting of the sleeves 11 and 13 the pen 14and the pin 15 will always be accurately aligned in a vertical plane,irrespective of any wear or looseness in the pivots of the links 17 and20. The pen 14 and the pin 15 will move vertically relative to eachother to both engage and disengage the drafting sheet and the etchingsheet. This permits very accurate detail to be provided on the etchingplate 9.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An etching device comprising a table, a drafting sheet on one side ofthe table, an etching sheet on the table and on a side opposite thedrafting sheet, an etching tool comprising a pair of vertically spacedarms, said arms extending over the table, one above said table and onebelow the same, a pen mounted on the uppermost arm for vertical slidingmovement relative to the drafting sheet, an etching pin mounted on thelowermost arm for vertical sliding movement relative to the etchingsheet, said pen and pin being positioned in vertical alignment, linkmeans connecting the pen and the pin to synchronous 1y move the pen andpin, and a shaft grasped by the operator and attached to the pen.

2. An etching device as set forth in claim 1, and stabilizing meansprojecting laterally from the etching tool.

3. An etching device as set forth in claim 1, and stabilizing meansprojecting laterally from the etching tool, said stabilizing meanscomprising a skid inhibiting tilting of the etching tool.

4. An etching device as set forth in claim 1, and a fixed sleeve on theuppermost arm, said pen being slidably mounted in the sleeve, and afixed sleeve on the lowermost arm, said pin being slidably mounted inthe last named sleeve.

5. An etching device as set forth in claim 1, and a fixed sleeve on theuppermost arm, said pen being slidably mounted in the sleeve, and afixed sleeve on the lowermost arm, said pin being slidably mounted inthe last named sleeve, and stabilizing means projecting laterally fromthe etching tool.

6. An etching device as set forth in claim 1, and a fixed sleeve on theuppermost arm, said pen being slidably mounted in the sleeve, and afixed sleeve on the lowermost arm, said pin being slidably mounted inthe last named sleeve, and stabilizing means projecting laterally fromthe etching tool, said stabilizing means comprising a skid inhibitingtilting of the etching tool.

7. An etching device comprising a table, a drafting sheet on one side ofthe table, an etching sheet on the table and on a side opposite thedrafting sheet, an etching tool comprising a pair of vertically spacedarms, said arms extending over the table, one above said table and onebelow the same, a pen mounted on the uppermost arm for vertical slidingmovement relative to the drafting sheet, an etching pin mounted on thelowermost arm for vertical sliding movement relative to the etchingsheet, said pen and pin being positioned in vertical alignment, linkmeans connecting the pen and the pin to synchronously move the pen andpin, and a shaft grasped by the operator and attached to the pen, astabilizing means comprising a mounting pin projecting downwardly fromthe etching tool, a supporting table having a horizontal groove therein,said mounting pin projecting into the groove and being slidable androtatable therein.

8. An etching device as set forth in claim 7, and a fixed sleeve on theuppermost arm, said pen being slidably mounted in the sleeve, and afixed sleeve on the lowermost arm, said pin being slidably mounted inthe last named sleeve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 400,268 3/1889 Thompson 33-24637,923 11/1899 Chase 3324 750,923 2/1904 Wheelan 33--24 784,633 3/1905Shantz 3324 l,35l,762 9/1920 King 3324 1,811,121 6/1931 Gastell 33-24HARRY N. HAROIAN, Primary Examiner.

